It is not the hole in the patient- but the whole patient. Biofilm is a key factor in wounds

Chronic wounds are a burden to society, the health care system and to the individuals affected. Microbes are known to exist as biofilms in the wounds which contribute to the development of the ‘chronicity’ of such wounds. They are generally difficult to eradicate and prevent despite treatments. Many wound care products and strategies are available today, however, only very few wound care products have been evaluated for their antibiofilm effect. In addition is must be time to combine such treatment with more holistic approaches looking at the whole patient.
Hypothesis
The aim of this study was to explore whether new in vitro and ex vivo models can be used to evaluate amicrobial products and can they ultimately be combined with digital tools for citizens having diabetic wounds.
Methodology
Two different methodologies were utilized. Novel in vitro- and ex vivo porcine models employing Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida were applied to test antimicrobial products. The Wound App which has been developed, co-designed and tested by citizens in collaboration with healthcare professionals, companies and researchers in the project HealthD360 was applied as well. The citizen register a wound, take photos, and report the wound size, pain, inflammation and wound fluid daily. A data plugin collects numbers of steps, activity and other 24/7 data from Apple Health and Google Fit.
Results
Stable co-existence of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus and Candida was confirmed in the models and some test results will be presented. Inflammation and pain level registered on a daily/weekly basis was positively correlated to the wound size of patients using the WoundApp and negatively correlated with activity level.
Conclusion
The in vitro- and ex vivo models combined with a citizen app collecting 24/7 data has a large potential for evaluating antibiofilm products and other interventions in the future.